Inflatable and illuminable figure

ABSTRACT

An inflatable and illuminable figure, including a cell formed of complementary members having interengaging margins which sealingly secure the margins of an opening formed in the figure, the cell forming members removably supporting a light source and being relatively rigid and fire resistant to prevent transfer of excessive heat to the inflatable figure whether the figure is inflated or deflated.

United States Patent 1 1 Moran July 17, 1973 [54] INFLATABLE ANDILLUMINABLE FIGURE 3,233,352 2/1966 Projector et a]. 40/217 X 76Inventor: James G. Moran 122 N. Rose St., 1 Burbank Calif 9,1505 PrimaryExaminerRobert W. Michell I Assistant ExaminerJohn F. Pitrelli [22]Fried: June 15, 1971 Att0rney Ly0n & Lyon [21] Appl. No.: 153,370

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl. 40/126 B, 46/88 inflatable and illuminablefigure, including a 511 Im. Cl. G091 19/00 formed of complementarymembers having imercngag- [58] Field of Search 40/126 B, 130; s marginswhich Sealingly Secure the margins of an 46/87 88, 90 opening formed inthe figure, the cell forming members removably supporting a light sourceand being rela- {561 References Cited tively rigid and fire resistant toprevent transfer of ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS cessive heat to theinflatable figure whether the figure H t d d fl t d. 2,748,256 5/1956Moran 40/126 B X IS m a e or e a e 3,363,350 1/1968 Moran 40/l06.54 10Claims, 9 Drawing Figures INFLATABLE AND ILLUMINABLE FIGURE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION Reference is directed to my previous patents concerningilluminated inflatable figures, namely, U.S. Pat.

No. 2,748,256 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,350 and my copending application,Ser. No. 42,968, filed June 3, 1970 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,083.Material suitable for inflation is easily damaged by excessive heat.While inflatable material may be selected which is fire resistant, thematerial may not be sufficiently so as to avoid, expecially whendeflated, catching fire if contacted by an operating high intensitylight bulb. Also, it is essential that the cost of the materials as wellas cost of assembly be maintained at a minimum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to animprovement of the previous inventions and is summarized in thefollowing objects:

First, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure wherein a lightsource is removably contained in a cell set in a side of the figure, thecell including a pair of complementary members sealingly securing themargins of an opening therebetween, the outer member removablysupporting a light source, and the inner member being translucent ortransparent to distribute light within the figure.

. Second, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure, as indicatedin the preceding object, wherein the complementary cell forming membersare relatively rigid, fire resistant and tend to diffuse heat, therebypreventing excessive heating of the material comprising the inflatablefigure should the material be brought into direct contact with the cellwhile the light source is active.

Third, to provide a cell for inflatable and illuminable figures, asindicated in the preceding object, wherein the surface of the inner cellmember may be provided with projections tending to dissipate heat and tospace the material when deflated from continuous contact with the cellwall, the projections also serving to produce a varied light pattern onthe inflated walls of the figure.

Fourth, to provide an illuminable cell for inflatable figures whereinthe walls of the cell may have integral focusing lenses forconcentrating the light on selected portions of the figure.

Fifth, to provide an illuminable cell for inflatable figures which isparticularly easy to install in that the inner portion of the cell isreadily supported in a stable position within the inflatable figure, andthe outer portion of the cell fits in and is retained by the margins ofan opening in the figure for clamping and sealing engagement with theinner portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an essentially diagrammatic sideview of the inflatable figure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the illuminating members, the viewbeing taken within a circle corresponding to Circle 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a similar fragmentary sectional view, showing a furthermodified form of the connection.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the inner cell member, showingprojections thereon.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the cell, taken through 77 ofFIG. 2, showing the portions of the cell as they appear just prior tosealing engagement with the margins of an opening in the inflatablefigure.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view, partial sectional view, of a modifiedform of the luminating cell, intended to be mounted in the bottom wallof the figure, the adjacent portions of the figure being shown insection.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a further modified form of the cell, in whichthe outer portion thereof is bulbular, with adjacent portions of thefigure being shown fragmentarily.

An inflatable FIG. 1 is provided, which may except for the provision ofilluminable means, be conventional. The figure is formed of fluid tightfabric or a combination of fabric and pastic material, or of sheetplastic material. Its shape may simulate an animate or inanimate object.Its base may include a water fillable base ring, such as suggested inthe previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,350. A conventionalinflation fitting 2 is provided.

In the exercise of the present'invention, the inflatable figure isprovide with a wall opening, having a flexible margin 3. Fitted withinthe opening is an illuminable cell which includes an inner cell member4, which is bulbular or generally spherical in contour. The cell member4 includes a peripheral flange 5, dimensioned to underlie the flexiblemargin 3 of the opening, with cell, taken from 2-2 of FIG. 1, withadjacent portions the flexible margin folded over the radially innerside of the flange 5. A relatively flat outer cell member 6 is providedwith a flange 7, which overlies the flange 5, and a rim 8 which fitswithin the radially inner side of the flange 5 so as to clamp the margin3.

The confrontingportions of the flange 5 and rim 8 are preferablyprovided with interlocking beads 9, so proportioned that the outer cellmember and the inner cell member may be snapped together. The connectionthus provided between the inner and outer cell members, with the margin3 firmly held between them, constitutes'a complete seal so that thefigure may be inflated. If desired, a sealant or bonding agent may beapplied to the flexible margin 3, or the contacting parts of the cells 4and 6 may be coated. However, a full seal is provided without suchcoating, the coating serving mainly to prevent disassembly of the parts.

The outer cell member 6 is provided with a lamp socket mounting, formedby inwardly and outwardly pressed complementary portions 11 and 12,defining a plane 13 disposed in acute angular relation with the normalsurface of the outer cell member. Formed in the plane 13 is an aperturehaving notched margins and arranged to receive a lamp socket 14, havingconnecting means 15 so arranged that the lamp socket may be insertedpartially into the opening and turned to a locked position from which itmay be subsequently turned for removal of thelamp socket. The lampsocket receives a lamp 16, which is supported by the socket in spacedrelation to the walls of the inner cell member 4. An appropriate lampcord 17 extends from the socket. Louvered vent openings 18 are providedin the outer cell member to permit circulation of air.

The inflatable FIG. 1 is formed of fire resistant mate rial; however,being relatively thin and flexible, contact with the lamp 16, while thelamp is connected, could damage the material comprising the figure. Thiscould only happen if the figure was in a deflated condition and if theinner cell member 4 were flexible or yieldable. To avoid this, both cellmembers 4 and 6 are formed of relatively rigid and tough plasticmaterial, such as a polycarbonate resin. Still further, the inner cellmember may have projections 19, as shown in FIG. 6, to minimize surfacecontact. As a result, the illuminable figure is particularly safe eventhough mishandled.

Both cell members are preferably injection molded. The outer cell memberis preferably opaque, whereas, the inner cell member 4 is transparent ortranslucent to distribute the light. Furthermore, the inner cell membermay be formed so that portions of its surface may have special opticalproperties; in fact, may form lenses so that light may be concentratedon desired portions of the inflatable figure. Such lenses, suggested by20 in FIG. 3, may be arranged to concentrate light in, for example, theface portion of an animate figure. Also, the projections 19 may haveoptical properties to produce a pattern of spots in which the light isintensified, this being accomplished without increasing the cost ofinjection molding the inner cell member.

The clamping and sealing means provided between the cell members 4 and 6and the intervening flexible margin 3 of the inflatable figure may takevarious forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the flanges or 7 may beprovided with an annular recess 21, and the other member provided with amating bead 22. Or, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer cell member 6 may beprovided with an outer rim 23, having an internal channel 24, which fitsover an outwardly extending bead 25 provided around the inner cellmember 4. In each case, the flexible margin 3 is not only clamped butsealed with respect to the inner cell member 4.

While the illuminable cell so far described is shown as'mounted on theback side of the figure, it is possible to mount the cell in the bottomwall of the figure, as shown in FIG. 8. If the cell is so mounted, theconstruction is the same as previously described, except that thecontour of the inner cell member 4 may differ, and, it is preferred toprovide the outer cell member with a peripheral spacing wall 27, havingone or more slots 28 to accommodate the lamp cord.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 9. While it is preferred to provide abulbular inner cell member 4, a relatively flat inner cell member 29 andan bulbular outer cell member 30 may be provided. In this respect, thecells are similar to the construction shown in the copendingapplication, Ser. No. 42,968, but their interconnection being asdescribed hereinbefore.

To facilitate assembly of the illuminable cell, the inner cell member 4may be provided with extensions forming feet 31, which, after insertionof the cell member through the opening, rest on the inside surface ofthe side of the figure opposite from the opening. The outer cell member6 is provided with a skirt 32 disposed inwardly from its margin and ofsuch dimension to fit snugly within the margins 3 of the opening. Theouter cell member 6 is easily guided into registry with the inner cellmember, then pressed downwardly. As the beads 9 are forced in a relativeaxial direction, the margin 3 is sealingly clamped. The interference fitbetween the beads is calculated to permit some initial slippage of themargin 3 and ensure a good seal.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may also be provided with thecentering skirt 32.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of theconstructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces suchchanges, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and theirrelationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:

a. a figure formed of foldable light transmitting material and adaptedto be inflated, the figure having initially, an opening, the margin ofwhich is flexible;

b. inner and outer cell members having interengaging annular rimsincluding radially extending confronting portions and axially extendingconfronting portions to effect a mechanical connection between the cellmembers, portions of the rims adapted to sealingly receive and retainthe margin of said opening therebetween;

c. the inner cell member having a light transmitting wall;

(I. the outer cell member having means for removably mounting a lamp andits socket therein to position the lamp within the cell e. the cellmembers being relatively rigid and the lamp being secured in spacedrelation to walls thereof, thereby to space the inflatable material,when deflated, from the lamp.

2. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the outer cell member includes an axially directed wall extendinginward for insertion into the opening in the figure to retain the cellmembers in concentric relation to the opening during interengagement oftheir rims.

3. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the cell members are dispoed at the bottom of the figure;

b. the lamp mounting means includes a downwardly projecting portion;

0. and the outer cell member includes a downwardly directed spacingskirt.

4. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the axially extending portion of the interengaging rim of the outercell member fits within the rim of the inner cell member.

5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the interengaging rim of the outer cell member fits over the rim ofthe inner cell member.

6. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the interengaging rim of one of the cell members has an axiallydirected circular channel and the other cell member has a mating axiallydirected rib.

7. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the inner cell member is provided with external projections forsupporting the inner cell member during assembly of the outer cellmember thereon,

and also spacing the material comprising the figure from contact withthe normal outer surface of the inner cell member when the figure iscollapsed.

8. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the wall of the inner cell member includes at least on integral lensto concentrate light from the lamp on a selected portion of the figure.I

9. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the initial opening in the figure permits insertion of the inner cellmember for disposition in confronting relation with the margins of theopening;

b. and the outer cell member is provided with a marginal skirtdimensioned to fit snugly in the opening to retain the margins thereofuntil engaged by the rims of the inner and outer cell members.

An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:

a. a figure formed of translucent foldable material capable, whendeflated, to form a compact bundle,

6 opening;

c. a relatively rigid outer cell member including a marginal portionoverlying the margin of the opening and means for retaining the outercell member in concentric relation with the opening;

d. the marginal portions of the cell members being shaped to interlockand sealingly secure the margin of the opening therebetween to form afluid tight figure capable of being inflated;

e. the outer cell member conforming to the curvature of the inflatedfigure and having an outwardly extending portion and a complementaryinwardly extending portion forming a socket mounting aperture, definingan acute angle to the normal surface of the outer cell member;

f. a lamp socket removably received in the mounting aperture andsupporting a lamp in spaced relation to the walls of the inner callmember;

g. the inner cell member projecting into the inflated figure and havingoptical properties to effect a predetermined distribution of lightwithin the inflated figure.-

1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising: a. a figure formed of foldable light transmitting material and adapted to be inflated, the figure having initially, an opening, the margin of which is flexible; b. inner and outer cell members having interengaging annular rims including radially extending confronTing portions and axially extending confronting portions to effect a mechanical connection between the cell members, portions of the rims adapted to sealingly receive and retain the margin of said opening therebetween; c. the inner cell member having a light transmitting wall; d. the outer cell member having means for removably mounting a lamp and its socket therein to position the lamp within the cell e. the cell members being relatively rigid and the lamp being secured in spaced relation to walls thereof, thereby to space the inflatable material, when deflated, from the lamp.
 2. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the outer cell member includes an axially directed wall extending inward for insertion into the opening in the figure to retain the cell members in concentric relation to the opening during interengagement of their rims.
 3. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the cell members are dispoed at the bottom of the figure; b. the lamp mounting means includes a downwardly projecting portion; c. and the outer cell member includes a downwardly directed spacing skirt.
 4. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the axially extending portion of the interengaging rim of the outer cell member fits within the rim of the inner cell member.
 5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the interengaging rim of the outer cell member fits over the rim of the inner cell member.
 6. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the interengaging rim of one of the cell members has an axially directed circular channel and the other cell member has a mating axially directed rib.
 7. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the inner cell member is provided with external projections for supporting the inner cell member during assembly of the outer cell member thereon, and also spacing the material comprising the figure from contact with the normal outer surface of the inner cell member when the figure is collapsed.
 8. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the wall of the inner cell member includes at least on integral lens to concentrate light from the lamp on a selected portion of the figure.
 9. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the initial opening in the figure permits insertion of the inner cell member for disposition in confronting relation with the margins of the opening; b. and the outer cell member is provided with a marginal skirt dimensioned to fit snugly in the opening to retain the margins thereof until engaged by the rims of the inner and outer cell members. 10 An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising: a. a figure formed of translucent foldable material capable, when deflated, to form a compact bundle, and having an opening in its side wall; b. a relatively rigid inner cell member including a marginal portion underlying the margin of the opening; c. a relatively rigid outer cell member including a marginal portion overlying the margin of the opening and means for retaining the outer cell member in concentric relation with the opening; d. the marginal portions of the cell members being shaped to interlock and sealingly secure the margin of the opening therebetween to form a fluid tight figure capable of being inflated; e. the outer cell member conforming to the curvature of the inflated figure and having an outwardly extending portion and a complementary inwardly extending portion forming a socket mounting aperture, defining an acute angle to the normal surface of the outer cell member; f. a lamp socket removably received in the mounting aperture and supporting a lamp in spaced relation to the walls of the inner call member; g. the inner cell member projecting into the iNflated figure and having optical properties to effect a predetermined distribution of light within the inflated figure. 